AP Interview: Polish ex-foreign minister sees Brexit dangers

Radek Sikorski, a former Polish foreign ministers, speaks to The Associated Press in Warsaw, Poland, on Monday May 16, 2016. Sikorski, who has strong ties to Britain and has been advocating for Britain to remain in the European Union, said he is “very worried” about the prospect of so-called Brexit. He said he fears it could weaken a political arrangement that has given Europe’s its longest-ever period of peace and prosperity. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
(The Associated Press)

Radek Sikorski, a former Polish foreign ministers, speaks to The Associated Press in Warsaw, Poland, on Monday May 16, 2016. Sikorski, who has strong ties to Britain and has been advocating for Britain to remain in the European Union, said he is “very worried” about the prospect of so-called Brexit. He said he fears it could weaken a political arrangement that has given Europe’s its longest-ever period of peace and prosperity. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
(The Associated Press)

WARSAW, Poland – Radek Sikorski, a former Polish foreign minister with longstanding ties to Britain, says he is "very worried" British voters could opt to leave the European Union, fearing it could weaken a political arrangement that has given Europe's its longest-ever period of peace and prosperity.

Speaking to The Associated Press on Monday, Sikorski argued that a weaker EU would be particularly risky for nations like his own, which has historically been at the mercy of its large neighbors Russia and Germany.

He said he believes that a British departure from the common bloc would benefit Russia and also leave Germany with greater decision-making weight within the bloc.

Britain is holding a referendum on June 23 to decide whether to leave the EU or remain.